NIS Warns Sokoto Residents Against Illegal Migration

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned residents of Illela, a border town in Sokoto State, against using unauthorised routes to travel abroad.

The warning was issued during a sensitisation campaign jointly organised with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to stem migrant smuggling and human trafficking across border communities.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Mukhtar Inuwa, who represented the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, urged residents to always adhere to lawful procedures when seeking to travel out of the country.

Inuwa noted that many Nigerians who depend on illegal agents or backdoor channels in their quest for greener pastures often fall victim to exploitation, forced labour, or human trafficking.

“When you follow illegal routes, you expose yourself to danger. Many people die in the desert or at sea, while others end up stranded without valid documents,” he said.

The Illela Border Command Controller, Tony Akueneme, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating irregular migration and enhancing security along the Sokoto–Niger Republic corridor.

Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer in Illela, CSP Mukhtar, urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of illegal migration, stressing that early enlightenment remains key to prevention.

A representative of the Nigerian Army at the event called for stronger collaboration between border communities and security agencies to curb cross-border crimes and ensure safer migration practices.